SylvanSport GO EASY: Why It’s the Best Kayak Trailer for 2026

When evaluating the best kayak trailers, we prioritize three things: build quality, ease of use, and highway safety. The SylvanSport GO EASY consistently outperforms competitors in these categories, making it the premier choice for transporting kayaks, canoes, and bikes. Here’s why GO EASY is widely considered the best kayak trailer on the market.

Key Questions to Consider When Purchasing a Kayak TRailer

Key Questions to Consider When Purchasing a Kayak Trailer

Why GO EASY kayak trailer is worth the investment: 2026 Model Comparison vs Malone & Yakima

You’ve heard the expression, “you get what you pay for”, and there is truth to it in the case of kayak trailers. When towing important gear like your kayaks, bikes, SUPs or ebikes, you want a quality-built trailer that can handle highways and dirt roads with ease, but also is known for ease of loading and hitching to your vehicle. The GO EASY kayak trailer offers a higher value than the Malone and Yakima alternatives because it’s the only trailer rated for 81 mph highway speeds, features a Dexter torsion axle suspension (vs basic shock setups) with a 547 lb. carrying capacity and Made-in-USA construction. While competitors feature narrower tires, stamped-steel couplers, GO EASY combines high volume, 8″ wide tires, an ergonomic handle, and optimal load height.

Here are some key questions to consider as you research kayak trailers.

What is the ideal load height for kayak trailers?

The ideal kayak trailer load height is 37-40 inches – approximately waist height for most adults (5’4″ to 6’2″). This height range lets you load and unload kayaks without excessive bending or reaching overhead, reducing strain on your back, shoulders, and neck.

GO EASY features a 37-inch load height, positioning it in the optimal ergonomic range. By comparison:

  • Malone MicroSport: 32-34 inches (requires crouching to lift the kayak and to secure straps)
  • Yakima Rack & Roll: 30-33 inches (lowest load height, most bending required)

While lower trailers may seem easier to load initially, the repeated crouching and bending to secure tie-downs or unload causes fatigue and potential injury risk over time – especially if you’re loading multiple kayaks or using your trailer frequently.

Why 37 inches matters: At waist height or just below it, you can comfortably reach across your kayak to attach straps, check tie-down tension, and adjust positioning without stooping or reaching overhead. It is also the most natural position to load or unload kayaks from the trailer.

What if I need a kayak trailer for 3 kayaks or 2 kayaks and 2 bikes? Which trailers are designed to handle this kind of multi-unit load and which can handle heavier items like ebikes or fishing kayaks?

  • Malone MicroSport trailer has the heaviest load capacity at 800 lbs, but that’s paired with a leaf-spring suspension, narrow 4.8” wide tires, and a lower load height.
  • SylvanSport GO EASY trailer can transport 547 lbs which typically translates to 4 rec kayaks, two fishing kayaks, or multiple kayaks and bikes.
  • Yakima’s Rack and Roll and Malone’s EcoSport have substantially lower load limits ranging from 250-400 lbs.
  • Also consider the cross-bar width to ensure it has enough room for your racks. GO EASY offers the maximum cross-bar width at 79” with competitors offering 58’-78” crossbar widths.

What length trailer do I need?

SylvanSport’s GO EASY comes in at a standard 10′ length, which is perfect for hauling kayaks, SUPs, bikes and gear up to 12′ long. That’s most of us. For those with longer canoes or big sea kayaks, a tongue extension kit lets you carry up to 17′ boats. No reason to pull an extra-long trailer if you don’t actually need it. The Rack and Roll trailer and Malone offerings are longer ranging from 10.75 – 13.25’ in length.

Best Part: The optional long tongue swaps out in a mintue with a quick disconnect wiring harness, so switching trailer lengths is EASY!

Can I safely take the kayak trailer on the highway for vacation or longer trips?

Tires matter and are a key consideration for the trailer’s ability to handle highway use and suitability for longer trips. Consider the size, width, quality, and speed rating of the trailers’ tires.

  • Built for real‑world speed and highway use: GO EASY is the only kayak trailer in the comparison rated to 81 mph, giving it the highest verified speed rating for confident interstate towing and longer road trips. The tires on the comparison models by Malone and Yakima are rated at 65-75 mph.
  • Wider tires – GO EASY also has the widest tires amongst the four. Wider tire = larger contact patch, so the trailer has more lateral grip and traction to resist crosswinds, steering inputs, and small yaw disturbances, which tends to reduce sway once it starts. Narrower tires offer a smaller contact patch and can feel more “skatey”, so the trailer will be susceptible to wind gusts or uneven pavement, especially with a tall or heavy load. Wide tires also provide a smoother ride and increased float in soft and sandy conditions.
    • GO EASY tire width = 8”
    • Malone EcoLight and MicroSport tire width = 4.8”
    • Yakima Rack and Roll tire width = 3.25”

Trailer suspension is another critical factor to consider for smooth transport - so be sure to ask ‘What type of suspension does the trailer have - Dexter torsion axle, leaf spring, or shock suspension?’

Malone trailers use a leaf spring suspension that only perform at their best when loaded at their maximum capacity. When partially loaded or empty, leaf suspension systems can cause “trailer bounce” which is hard on your gear and can potentially lead to unsafe driving conditions. Yakima uses a suspension system with shocks that help control “trailer bounce” when not fully loaded, but the benefit is largely negated with their narrow tires.

SylvanSport GO EASY is built with a custom-tuned Dexter torsion axle, ensuring the smoothest ride whether it’s fully loaded or empty. Torsion axles are ideal for lightweight trailers because they are tuned to a specific trailer’s dry weight, which means they offer superior performance regardless of cargo load. Plus, with its E-Z Lube system, maintenance is a breeze—all you need is a grease gun, with no dismantling required.

Where is the kayak trailer manufactured?

Both SylvanSport and Malone are Made in the USA products whereas the Yakima Rack and Roll trailer is imported from overseas. SylvanSport’s manufacturing facility is located in the mountain town of Brevard, North Carolina. Malone produces its racks and trailers just outside of Portland, Maine.

What type of assembly is required when I receive the trailer?

  • SylvanSport GO EASY – Arrives almost completely assembled. Simply mount the wheels, crossbars, and tongue (about 30-45 min), and you are ready to hit the road.
  • Yakima Rack and Roll – most users report assembly takes 2-3 hours with many small parts used (nuts, bolts, T-bolts, washers).
  • Malone EcoLight/Multisport – based on user feedback both of these trailers take approx 3 to 5 hours to assemble using standard shop tools, with some users recommending up to half a day for assembly and some reviewers critique the directions for being complex.
GO Easy upright

What else makes GO EASY the best kayak trailer in 2026?

  • Ergonomic Coupler: Rounded and designed to fit the hand, our coupler is the most comfortable to use in the US. Once you try it, you’ll never want to use a standard coupler again.
  • Balanced Weight: We found the perfect position for the axle to make the GO EASY a breeze to tow and maneuver by hand. If the axle is too far back, the weight on the coupler is too heavy. Too far forward, and the trailer wants to tip backwards.
  • Upright Storage: The quick disconnect tongue and wiring harness allows the GO EASY to be stored upright on end in a compact 4′ x 2′ footprint. 

For a detailed spec comparison of the GO EASY, Rack and Roll, EcoLight, and MultiSport trailers, download the 2026 Kayak Trailer Comparison.

2026 Kayak Trailer Comparison
For more info, complete specs, and package options
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1. SUPERIOR ENGINEERING & SMOOTH RIDE

Most kayak trailers use leaf springs suspension or basic shock absorbers, which only perform at their best when loaded at their maximum capacity. When partially loaded or empty, these suspension systems can cause “trailer bounce” which is hard on your gear and can potentially lead to unsafe driving conditions.

The GO EASY is built with a custom-tuned Dexter torsion axle, ensuring the smoothest ride whether it’s fully loaded or empty. Torsion axles are ideal for lightweight trailers because they are tuned to a specific trailer’s dry weight, which means they offer superior performance regardless of cargo load. Plus, with its E-Z Lube system, maintenance is a breeze—all you need is a grease gun, with no dismantling required.

2. ERGONOMIC DESIGN: “SWEET SPOT” FOR LOAD HEIGHT & WEIGHT

  • Optimal Height: At a load height of 37″, the GO EASY is higher than low-profile trailers to prevent back strain, yet low enough to prevent shoulder and neck issues common with roof racks and taller trailers.
  • Ideal Towing Weight: Weighing in at 253 lbs, it is heavy enough to remain stable at higher speeds, yet light enough to be towed by any vehicle and moved easily by hand.

3. INDUSTRY-LEADING CAPACITY & SPECS

  • Wide Crossbars: With 79″ crossbars, you get maximum capacity for all your gear. Compatible with major brands of rack accessories (bikes, kayaks, cargo boxes, etc).
  • Heavy Lifter: A massive 547 lbs carrying capacity is significantly higher than most competitors.
  • Tires – Bigger is Better: High volume tires offer more traction, smoother ride, and more float in soft terrain. GO EASY has the widest, highest volume tires and, at 81mph, our tires have the highest speed rating of our competitors, allowing you to travel confidently on the highway.
  • Not Too Long, Not Too Short: GO EASY comes in at a standard 10′ length, which is perfect for hauling kayaks, SUPs, bikes and gear up to 12′ long. That’s most of us. For those with longer canoes or big sea kayaks, our tongue extension kit lets you carry up to 17′ boats. No reason to pull an extra long trailer if you don’t actually need it.

4. MAXIMUM VERSATILITY

  • Cargo Options: Unlike many other trailers, the GO EASY offers optional cargo decks and storage boxes, allowing you to customize your setup. From bare naked to lightweight gear hauler to heavy-duty utility, build your GO EASY to fit your needs.
  • More Than A Kayak Trailer: GO EASY is not just the best kayak trailer on the market. The DuraBar crossbar system lets you easily haul heavy e-bikes, cargo boxes, rafts, tubes, SUPs, canoes, fishing rods, 2x4s…the real question is what can’t you carry with the GO EASY?
  • Micro Camper? What?: GO EASY is the perfect platform to mount your rooftop tent for a quick and easy way to set up camp and best of all, you don’t have to climb down from the top of your vehicle in the middle of the night or pack up every time you want to leave. Don’t have a rooftop tent? Check out the TraiLOFT which combines the GO EASY with our LOFT rooftop tent.
Welding Brevard NC

5. AMERICA-MADE QUALITY & DURABILITY 🇺🇸

Unlike mass produced imports, GO EASY is designed, engineered, and made in the USA. Powder-coated steel frame, rotomolded components, and heavy duty crossbar system all add up to a trailer that is in it for the long haul.

6. QUICK & EASY ASSEMBLY

While competitors can take a full afternoon of mechanical work, GO EASY arrives almost completely assembled. Simply mount the wheels, crossbars, and tongue (about 30-45 min), and you are ready to hit the road.